It is my pleasure and privilege to welcome you, once again, to the United Nations African Meeting on the Question of Palestine convened by the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, under the theme â€œStrengthening the support by African States for a just and lasting solution of the question of Jerusalem.â€

At the outset, allow me to reiterate our Committeeâ€™s sincere appreciation to His Excellency Mr. TaÃ¯b Fassi Fihri, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, for the decision of the Moroccan Government to host this important Meeting. Our Committee highly appreciates the role of His Majesty King Mohammed VI as the Chair of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of the Islamic Conference in the efforts to preserve the Islamic heritage in Jerusalem. We also highly value His Majestyâ€™s leadership in providing humanitarian and other vital support to the Palestinian people. We, therefore, are grateful to be able to hold our Meeting on Jerusalem here in Rabat. We also appreciate Moroccoâ€™s participation in our Committeeâ€™s activities as an active Observer.

Our Committee was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1975, with a mandate to promote the realization by the Palestinian people of their inalienable rights. The General Assembly has defined those inalienable rights as the right to self-determination, national independence and sovereignty, and the right of the Palestinians to return to their homes and property from which they had been displaced and uprooted. In its political advocacy role, the Committee keeps the international community abreast of the various aspects of the question of Palestine through its annual programme of activities at United Nations Headquarters and worldwide, including the holding of international meetings and conferences such as this African Meeting.

We decided to focus the deliberations of this Meeting on the question of Jerusalem, which is a key element in the Israeli-Palestinian permanent status negotiations. The issue is highly sensitive in every aspect. Leaving it unresolved would undermine ultimate success in the negotiations to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace or a solution of the Arab-Israeli conflict.

Last October, an important conference, the Al-Quds International Forum, was held here in Rabat. United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon summarized in his message to the conference the position of the United Nations emphasizing that Jerusalem was a core issue that had to be resolved through negotiations, along with all other core issues. He stressed that the international community did not recognize Israelâ€™s annexation of East Jerusalem, which remained part of the occupied Palestinian territory subject to the terms of the Fourth Geneva Convention. If peace was to be achieved, he said, the goal had to be for Jerusalem to be the capital of two States living side-by-side in peace and security, with arrangements for the holy sites acceptable to all, which was the road to the fulfillment of both the vision of Security Council resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.

Our Committee fully aligns itself with this important position of the international community on the status of Jerusalem. It repeatedly expressed alarm about Israelâ€™s settlement expansion in East Jerusalem, as well as demolitions of Palestinian homes, evictions, land expropriation and residency rights revocations. The most recent example is the approval by a Jerusalem planning body for a plan to demolish 22 Palestinian homes in the Al-Bustan area of the Silwan neighbourhood in the eastern part of the city to make room for an Israeli tourist centre. Such actions constitute clear violations of Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. East Jerusalem is occupied territory as is the rest of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The Committee calls on the High Contracting Parties to the Convention to act against those violations by Israel, a High Contracting Party herself, as stipulated in Article 1 of the Convention, which obliges the High Contracting Parties to undertake to respect and to ensure respect for the Convention. The Geneva Conventions lay down crucial principles of international humanitarian law that apply to all conflict situations. Their persistent violation by one party only serves to undermine the effectiveness of the international legal system and may have serious consequences for international peace and security. The Committee also recalls that Security Council resolution 252 (1968) considered that â€œall legislative and administrative measures and actions taken by Israel, including expropriation of land properties thereon, which tend to change the legal status of Jerusalem, are invalid and cannot change that status,â€ the position repeated in many subsequent resolutions.

Our Committeeâ€™s position is that any agreement that does not encompass making East Jerusalem the capital of a future Palestinian State will not lead to sustainable Israeli-Palestinian peace. A negotiated agreement on the status of Jerusalem should include internationally guaranteed provisions aimed at ensuring the freedom of religion and of conscience of its inhabitants, as well as permanent, free and unhindered access to the holy places by the Palestinian people and peoples of all religions and nationalities.

With regard to the rest of the occupied West Bank, illegal settlement activity continues in spite of the temporary moratorium on new construction declared by Israel, based on approvals issued prior to the moratorium. Although cautiously welcomed internationally as a step in the right direction, the announced moratorium of settlement expansion was not considered sufficient for creating for a climate conducive to conducting negotiations on all permanent status issues. A central concern has always been that East Jerusalem had been explicitly excluded from the moratorium, which has been proven by the worrisome recent developments in the City.

Our Committee would like to remind Israel, the occupying Power, that the presence of settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, is illegal under international law. All of the West Bank land as determined by the pre-1967 demarcation lines is to become the future Palestinian Stateâ€™s territory, and any modification to this principle can only be made through agreements between the parties.

The Committee has repeatedly denounced the ongoing construction of the separation wall in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including in and around East Jerusalem, with all its adversary effects on the Palestinian population of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. It has called upon Israel to cease any further construction and dismantle the wall in line with the ICJ Advisory Opinion. Israel is obliged to make reparations to the Palestinian population for all damage caused by this construction.

With regard to the situation in the Gaza Strip, the Committee is of the view that the siege of Gaza imposed by Israel, the occupying Power, amounts to collective punishment of the 1.5 million Palestinians living there. Our Committee notes with great concern that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has been steadily worsening, exacerbated by the Israeli military offensive of December 2008. We in the Committee, have repeatedly called for a lifting of the blockade and the opening of all crossings to allow for the long overdue reconstruction and rehabilitation work to begin. The situation in the Gaza Strip gained wide international attention through the events surrounding the Free Gaza Flotilla the objective of which was to delivering the much-needed humanitarian goods to the Palestinians in Gaza. Israelâ€™s violent naval assault on the ships was widely condemned by the international community. We are of the view that it demands an impartial and credible investigation into the incident in international waters. At the same time, the international community calls for a full end of the Israeli blockade and the opening of all crossings, based on the comprehensive 2005 Access and Movement Agreement.

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Faced with very difficult circumstances of the occupation, the Palestinian Authority has been successfully carrying out its two-year State-building plan led by Prime Minister Fayyad, developing national institutions and infrastructure, improving the security apparatus and bringing investment to the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority has launched a diplomatic initiative with a view to achieving international support for Palestinian statehood at the end of the scheduled implementation of the Fayyad Plan in August 2011. The Committee expresses full support for this diplomatic initiative and calls upon the entire world community, including all African States, to be prepared to recognize the State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, including through a Security Council resolution, once statehood has been declared by the Palestinian leadership at an appropriate time. In particular, the Palestinian people and their supporters have a lot to benefit from the experience of African States in their quest for decolonization, independence and sovereignty, as well as their paths to economic independence and sustainable development. The role of the African Group at the United Nations in support of the Palestinian cause is also critical.

First and foremost, it is very important that the international community support the current proximity talks by encouraging the parties, Israel and the Palestinians, to take the steps necessary to built mutual trust and confidence in order to proceed to direct negotiations on all outstanding issues. Violence, incitement, settlement expansion and other provocative acts can easily compromise an already fragile state of the talks and need to be avoided at all costs. We all understand that time is of the essence. Losing the present opportunity might jeopardy the achievement of the two-State solution, and thus, the aspirations of the Palestinian people to live in their own, sovereign State, and of the Israeli people to live in peace and security in a prospering Middle East region.

For our part, the Committee will continue to carry out its mandate given by the General Assembly in order to bring an end to the decades of occupation and realize the two-State solution through the establishment of an independent, contiguous and viable State of Palestine based on the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, living side by side with Israel in peace and security, in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, international law and previous agreements, supported by the Arab Peace Initiative.

Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan to the United Nations

at the Security Council Debate on

the Situation in Afghanistan

NEW YORK

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the outset, let me thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting, and congratulate you on your work as president of this Council for the month of June. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his most recent report, and SRSG Staffan di Mistura for his briefing today, his first in his new role.

Mr. di Mistura and the leadership and staff of UNAMA have made exemplary efforts in Kabul. In less than three months, Mr. di Mistura has proven himself to be admirably able to bring all stakeholders, including regional actors, together around issues and principles of common concern. We are grateful to him, and I look forward to working with him and his colleagues closely in the coming years.

Mr. President,

This meeting comes less than a week after this august Councilâ€™s visit to Afghanistan, which I had the honor to be part of. Let me thank you all, and particularly Ambassador Apakan of Turkey for his work in leading the Mission. The Councilâ€™s visit came at a crucial time for Afghanistan. It was an opportunity to assess the current situation, and to prepare for the future. More importantly, it was also an opportunity to better understand the hopes, fears and expectations of the Afghan people. As was evident last week, Afghans are focused in particular on the increased role of their government in the reconstruction and stabilization process; on their expectations from the international community; and on how to address the insurgency. Our success in the coming years will depend on our ability to further involve Afghans in these crucial issues.

Mr. President,

Seven months ago, President Karzai presented a comprehensive national agenda to reengage the Afghan people and enable them to take increased responsibility for the governance, development and security of their country. This has subsequently been endorsed by the international community in London and since.

Mr. President,

The Afghanistan we saw last week has made visible progress in the past months towards meeting its commitments, progress that is also reflected in the report before us today. The Afghan National Army and Police, now operating with increased operational capability, are on schedule to reach their combined target size and strength. In partnership with the international forces, we have begun to take back the initiative from the Taliban in some key parts of the country.Security Council Discusses Situation in Afghanistan
H.E. Zahir Tanin, Permanent Representative of Afghanistan to the UN, addresses a Security Council meeting on the situation in his country.
United Nations, New York

In addition, the Afghan government is increasingly focused on efficiency and effectiveness, cracking down on corruption and promoting rule of law. President Karzai recently called for initiatives to prevent nepotism in the awarding of high-level contracts, and to require businessmen related to high-level officials to disclose their assets.

The Government of Afghanistan has also taken steps to prioritize development, particularly in the agricultural sector, in an effort to ensure a sustainable economy, and is investing in minerals and human resource development to promote long-term prosperity.

Further, last monthâ€™s Peace Jirga brought together a broad and representative cross-section of Afghan society around the common desire for security, peace and justice. This Jirga marked an important step towards building an inclusive and unified Afghan approach to peace and reconciliation, and identified concrete steps to be taken in that direction.

At the same time, the Afghan-led parliamentary elections process is well underway, with 2577 candidates, including 406 women, standing for 249 seats. There is a broad commitment from the newly restructured Independent Electoral and Electoral Complaints Commissions, as well as civil society and the candidates themselves, to ensure that this is a transparent, fair and credible process, one which learns from the lessons of the past. In this regard, we appreciate the assistance of the United Nations and the international community in providing financial and logistical support, and in helping us to guarantee the security which is essential for a credible election. This election will be an important step on the path towards strengthening the engagement of people in the establishment of the democratic system.

Mr. President,

Three weeks from now the Government of Afghanistan will convene the International Kabul Conference on Afghanistan, which will allow us to renew the partnership between the international community and the Afghan government and people, crystallize our shared strategy and begin to implement concrete action plans. It will be co-chaired by Afghanistan and the United Nations, and attended at the Foreign Ministerial level and by representatives of countries, international and regional organizations, and financial institutions. This is not a pledging conference, but a chance to detail the objectives reflected in President Karzaiâ€™s inaugural platform and the London Conference outcome.

Mr. President,

Afghans have great hopes, and great expectations, from our international friends and allies. They are well aware that Afghanistan would still be under the bloody reign of the Taliban and Al Qaeda without the support and assistance of the international community. But they are nevertheless disturbed by the ongoing debates among and between our international allies, and concerned that sustainable progress may be difficult to achieve if we do not show patience, fortitude and long-term commitment.

This renewed partnership between Afghanistan and the international community must embody a recognition that trust and responsibility are equally important for all partners, rather than being the sole preserve of any one of us. We must continue to work together jointly to meet our own expectations and those of our partners.

To build the confidence and trust of the Afghan people, efforts should be geared towards:

– first, by ensuring that the transition strategy is implemented in practice, through capacity-building, empowering Afghans, and avoiding waste;

– second, by reengaging the people in the transition process;

– third, by ending the negative perceptions that have favored the enemy;

– and fourth, by ensuring visible progress in both the short and long term.

The Kabul conference and the subsequent parliamentary elections will be opportunities to achieve some of these goals, but our efforts should continue and intensify across the board.

Mr. President,

The Afghan people have suffered from violence and conflict for over thirty years, and they understand that most of our current enemies are not driven by ideology. My government has made it a priority to undertake a process to end the insurgency and consolidate security throughout the country.

The Peace Jirga outcome document recommended several steps to be taken towards an inclusive Afghan peace process that will weave Afghan fighters and enemy leaders back into the fabric of Afghan social, economic and political life. The Government of Afghanistan has already started to implement many of these recommendations. We are creating a high-level council to oversee the implementation of the peace and reconciliation process. We have also begun to review detention records with a view to releasing Taliban who are being held without adequate evidence, and have requested this Council to extend the review process of the Consolidated List as we prepare to submit a preliminary delisting request.

However, let us be clear: we will not sacrifice the progress that has been made, or the principles on which our Constitution is founded. We will begin negotiations with any disenchanted Afghans who are ready to distance themselves from Al Qaeda and to participate in a peaceful and stable Afghanistan.

Mr. President,

Partnership with the Afghan people has been critical to the progress made thus far, and will be critical to the success of the current transition strategy. As you noticed last week, there is intense interest, and some concern, among the Afghan people. But at the same time, there is also strength of resolve, both in the Afghan government and in civil society, and the pride that Afghans feel in their historic nation. We are eager to build a government and society that will do justice to that pride. The international community has been a true and steadfast friend to the Afghan people in this struggle, and we look forward to a partnership that is closer, more concrete and more focused.

1. Welcome back to the third exchange of the fifth round of intergovernmental negotiations. The topic today is the section of the negotiation text dedicated to the fourth key issue: size of an enlarged Security Council and working methods of the Council.

2. The negotiation text before you contains excerpts from Member States positions, and is divided according to the five key issues established and reaffirmed by Member States in decisions 62/557 and 63/565. The text contains redundancies, overlaps, and numerous areas where editorial changes would be useful. For that reason, I encourage you to improve the text to make it more useful for our shared work.

3. At our last meeting, I was delighted that some Member States took the opportunity to look at concrete language proposals. This will help us all to rationalize and improve the negotiation text.

4. I would like to underscore that we are in an informal plenary. This means that although Member States are always welcome to comment on any matter you deem relevant, in order to make this process work, I encourage all of you to make concrete suggestions and propose specific amendments that will reduce obvious overlaps, address existing differences and combine common elements in the language of the negotiation text. There is no need to restate known positions. And for those who have not yet done so, I again ask that any concrete proposals that are made be submitted to my office in writing so that we can properly reflect them in the next revision of the text.

5. As I mentioned last week, I intend to distribute the second revision of the text at the conclusion of this round, which will of course reflect all of the concrete proposals made during these meetings as well as those communicated to me.

6. As is usual practice in this house, you are, and will remain, the masters of your own positions. Though we will reflect all proposals in the text, amendments will only be applied with the agreement of the Member State, or States, whose language is affected.

7. On this note, you are of course always encouraged to also deliberate amongst each other and convey any results thereof to me either during our meetings or through a letter.

8. Finally, let me remind all of you that we continue to meet in an informal setting. We therefore do not have a speakers list today. Please raise your nameplates if you wish to speak.

Thank you.

Closing statement – 16 June 2010 â€“ SC Reform

Excellencies, distinguished delegates

We seem to have exhausted our initial discussion of this section if there are no more Member States that wish to comment on the proposals made today.

I thank all of you for your active and constructive participation today.

As a response to the queries on the timetable, let me add that our next meeting will take place on 28 June. It will cover the section of the text relating to the third key issue, on regional representation. This meeting will be followed by a meeting on key issue number two on 7 July, and a meeting on key issue number one on 12 July.

I intend to distribute a second revision of the text following the last meeting.

The text will of course reflect all of the concrete proposals made during these meetings as well as those communicated to me.

As is usual practice in this house, you are, and will remain, the masters of your own positions. Though we will reflect all proposals in the text, amendments will only be applied with the agreement of the Member State, or States, whose language is affected.

As I mentioned in the beginning, if Member States have additional proposals or amendments on this section, for example as a result of discussions with other Member States and groups, I would encourage them to send them to me any time before the end of this round for inclusion in the second revision of the text.

In this regard, it would be very helpful if you would please forward your concrete proposals to my office for inclusion in revision 2 of the negotiation text.

Finally, let me stress once more that I am as always impartial to any of the positions. My impartiality includes the order of speakers, which is indicated to me by the Secretariat based on objective criteria usually followed in such informal proceedings.

Going forward, however, I assure you that I will duly reflect over the comments on procedure made today. In doing so, I will of course bear in mind my responsibility as Chair to ensure a legitimate and interactive modus operandi that can pave the way towards real progress.